William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Second Part

ACT II 1. SCENE I. Saint Alban's. (continued)

SIMPCOX.
God knows, of pure devotion; being call'd
A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep,
By good Saint Alban, who said 'Simpcox, come,
Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.'

WIFE.
Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft
Myself have heard a voice to call him so.

CARDINAL.
What, art thou lame?

SIMPCOX.
Ay, God Almighty help me!

SUFFOLK.
How cam'st thou so?

SIMPCOX.
A fall off of a tree.

WIFE.
A plum-tree, master.

GLOSTER.
How long hast thou been blind?

SIMPCOX.
O, born so, master!

GLOSTER.
What, and wouldst climb a tree?

SIMPCOX.
But that in all my life, when I was a youth.

WIFE.
Too true; and bought his climbing very dear.

GLOSTER.
Mass, thou lov'dst plums well that wouldst venture so.

SIMPCOX.
Alas, good master, my wife desir'd some damsons,
And made me climb, with danger of my life.

GLOSTER.
A subtle knave! but yet it shall not serve.--
Let me see thine eyes.--Wink now;--now open them.
In my opinion yet thou seest not well.

SIMPCOX.
Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God and Saint Alban.

GLOSTER.
Say'st thou me so? What colour is this cloak of?

SIMPCOX.
Red, master, red as blood.

GLOSTER.
Why, that's well said. What colour is my gown of?

SIMPCOX.
Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet.